Tactics for modeling multiple salivary analyte data in relation to behavior problems: Additive, ratio, and...

Area of Science:

• Psychobiology of stress response
• Child behavior and development
• Biobehavioral relationships

Background:

• Individual differences in stress response psychobiology are linked to youth behavior problems.
• Previous research often focused on single stress signaling molecules (e.g., HPA axis or ANS).
• Coordinated effects of multiple biological stress signals on behavior require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a theoretical overview of concepts and rationales for analyzing coordinated stress system effects.
• To illustrate analytical tactics for representing coordinated effects (ratio vs. interaction terms).
• To examine the coordinated effects of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-s), and cortisol on youth behavior problems.

Main Methods:

• Salivary samples were collected from 446 youth aged 11-12.
• Assays included salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-s), and cortisol.
• Multi-group path analysis was used to test ratio and interaction approaches for coordinated effects on Child Behavior Checklist measures.

Main Results:

• A positive association was found between the cortisol/DHEA-s ratio and internalizing problems.
• A negative association between cortisol and externalizing problems was observed, conditional on low sAA levels.
• Findings highlight the importance of analytical strategy in biobehavioral research.

Conclusions:

• The study underscores the necessity of matching analytical strategies with research hypotheses when integrating salivary bioscience.
• Investigating multiple salivary analytes concurrently is recommended for a comprehensive understanding of behavior problems.
• Coordinated effects of stress biomarkers play a significant role in youth psychopathology.